Oli Crawshaw Wins Northern Children of Courage Award

By S Forster14th June 2018

We are delighted to announce that Oli Crawshaw won the Northern Children of Courage sporting achievement award in May. Oli has Spinal muscular atrophy type 2 (SMA II), an inherited condition which affects his muscles. It is characterised primarily by progressive muscle weakness, but that has not stopped Oli in his determination to learn and do well in life.

Oli goes to Marine Park First School and started playing Boccia in September 2016 at the After School Disabled Sports Club at Percy Hedley School. He now plays both Boccia and Powerchair Football and has recently been picked for the Newcastle United Foundation ‘Mini Magpies’ team which is in the Premier League for Powerchair Football. He is the youngest player ever to be picked to be in the Vipers UK Training Squad, a tough and very competitive pathway to hopefully being picked for the Boccia England Paralympic Team. Oli turns up for every single training session, despite ongoing treatment which take a huge effort. His commitment and enthusiasm is immense and inspirational to other children. This award will spur him on, to live life to the maximum and enjoy the sport he loves.